Noh Costume (Nuihaku) with Scattered Crests

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

There are over twenty different crests of varying size on this robe. Some of the designs have Buddhist significance, such as the manji (reverse swastika) and the circular “wheels of Buddhist law.” Others have auspicious symbolism or are purely decorative. These colorful crests with gold-leaf backgrounds (monzukushi) are customarily embroidered on white, black, red, or indigo Noh costumes made from satin. These costumes, called Nuihaku, are mainly worn by male actors playing young female protagonists. The waist area is left blank in a style known as koshi-ake (literally, “blank waist”) as these robes are often worn turned down at the waist.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art